Combination file and handle

ABSTRACT

A combination file and handle therefore with the file formed of a relatively thin sheet of metal having U-shaped inwardly directed flanges along the longitudinal side edges thereof with stops formed in each of the flanges adjacent their opposite ends. A handle is provided with downwardly and outwardly sloping spring elements for engaging in the opposed generally U-shaped flanges between the stops with the stops preventing the handle from detaching from the file.

[ 1 Oct. 28, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Coon [ COMBINATION FILE AND HANDLE [76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Harrison L. l-linson James A. Coon, 929 Drever St., west Sacramento Calif. 95691 Attorney, Agent, or FzrmB1a1r & Brown July 8, 1974 [22] Filed:

Appl. No.1 486,433

A combination file and handle therefore with the file formed of a relatively thin sheet of metal having U- shaped inwardly directed flanges along the longitudinal side edges thereof with stops formed in each of the flanges adjacent their opposite ends. A handle is pro- M mM SIMS 1 l 0 0 HD H 1 63 6 7 7 mm m 9 n 2 n m mm .m c u" r mm m L2. .1 CO 0 M Sm .m U]. F 1 2 0O 55 5 (1L S T N m n 5 m 8 m N N U Q 5 643,717 2/1900 Ingalsbe.................................. 29/78 2,871,729 2/1959 Schoonover......... 29/80 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 4 Claims 4 Drawing F igures 695,821 8/1953 United Kingdom..................... 29/78 US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 3,914,837

illllllllllan 1 COMBINATION FILE AND HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I The present invention relates to files of the sheet metal type having teeth struck downwardly therefrom to form a cutting surface and handles for use with such files. I

2. Summary of the Invention The file of the present invention consists of an elongate metal plate having downwardly struck teeth forming a cutting surface. The file has inwardly directed U- shaped flanges along the opposed longitudinal edges with each of the flanges having a stop adjacent each end thereof. An upright handle is provided with downwardly and outwardly resilient elements for engaging in the flanges of the file between the stops to thus detachably secure the handle to the file.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a combination file and handle which can be easily separated to permit a dull file to be replaced.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the handle with the file shown in broken lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral indicates generally a combination file and detachable handle unit constructed in accordance with the invention.

The unit 10 includes a file generally indicated at 11 formed of an elongate sheet metal plate 12 having a plurality of cutting teeth 13 struck downwardly therein to form a cutting surface. The plate 12 has a generally U-shaped flange l4 integrally formed along one longitudinal edge thereof. A second generally U-shaped flange 15 is formed along the opposite longitudinal edge of the plate 12 parallel to the flange 14.

A stop 16 is struck inwardly of the flange 14 adjacent each end thereof and inwardly of the flange 15 adjacent each end thereof.

The handle of the combination file and handle 10 is indicated generally at 17 and includes an elongate flat hand grip plate 18 having a downwardly sloping flange 19 integrally formed along the upper edge thereof. The flange 19 serves to stiffen the plate 18 as well as provide a finger grip for the user. A generally V-shaped stiffening crimp 20 is formed along the lower edge of the plate 18 as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The plate 18 below the stiffening crimp 20 is divided by veritcal slots 21 and 22 into three generally equal panels 23, 24 and 25. The panel 23 has an outwardly sloping plate 26 integrally formed on the lower edge thereof and the panel 25 is provided with a similar plate 27. The panel 24 has an outwardlysloping plate 28 formed integrally on the lower edge thereof with the plate 28 extending from the opposite side of the handle 17 from the plates 26, 27. The handle 17 is formed of spring metal so that the panels 23, 24, 25 tend to retain a position wherein they are generally parallel to the plate 18. Pressure inwardly on the panel 24 oppositely to panels 23 and 25 causes the plates 26, 27, and 28 to be retracted inwardly to permit the plates 26, 27 and 28 to be inserted within the flanges l4, 15. Upon release of the panel 24 the plates 26, 27 and 28 spring outwardly and engage tightly in the flanges l4, 15 between the stops 16 so as to solidly connect the handle 17 to the file 11. Pressure inwardly on the panel 24 will retract the plate 28 to release the handle 17 from the tile 11 when it is desired to replace the file 11.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A combination file and detachable handle therefor comprising an elongate metal plate having a plurality of file cutting teeth struck downwardly therefrom to form a cutting surface, a pair of longitudinal generally U- shaped inwardly directed flanges extending in parallel relation along opposite side edges of said plate, a thin rectangular handle extending vertically normal to the plane of the plate, and alternating means on said handle resiliently engaging in said flanges to solidly secure said handle to said plate.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including stops struck inwardly from each of said flanges adjacent each end thereof to prevent endwise movement of said handle with respect to said plate.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle includes an elongate flat plate, a stiffening flange integrally formed on the upper end of said handle, a stiffening crimp formed in said handle below said stiffening flange and extending along the full length of the handle, and a plurality of resilient elements depending from said handle in a forked configuration for engagement with the flanges of said file.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said resilient elements compri'se a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation with each of said panels having an outwardly sloping plate integrally secured thereto, said plates extending oppositely from alternate panels. 

1. A combination file and detachable handle therefor comprising an elongate metal plate having a plurality of file cutting teeth struck downwardly therefrom to form a cutting surface, a pair of longitudinal generally U-shaped inwardly directed flanges extending in parallel relation along opposite side edges of said plate, a thin rectangular handle extending vertically normal to the plane of the plate, and alternating means on said handle resiliently engaging in said flanges to solidly secure said handle to said plate.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 including stops struck inwardly from each of said flanges adjacent each end thereof to prevent endwise movement of said handle with respect to said plate.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle includes an elongate flat plate, a stiffening flange integrally formed on the upper end of said handle, a stiffening crimp formed in said handle below said stiffening flange and extending along the full length of the handle, and a plurality of resilient elements depending from said handle in a forked configuration for engagement with the flanges of said file.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said resilient elements comprise a plurality of panels arranged in parallel relation with each of said panels having an outwardly sloping plate integrally secured thereto, said plates extending oppositely from alternate panels. 